An early look at the 2014 Deer hunting regulations.
Wisconsin Deer Hunting Rule Changes For 2014
This summarizes some, but not all rule changes to deer hunting regulations for 2014, including some that were developed as a result of the Deer Trustee Review process. A more complete explanation of all deer hunting rules as well as more detailed maps of hunting zones and Deer Management Units can be found in the 2014 Deer Hunting Regulations pamphlet available in August at all DNR license vendors.
Deer Hunting Season Season dates
Archery & Crossbow Seasons – Sept. 13 – Jan. 4, 2015
Archery & Crossbow Seasons – All Metro Zones – Sept. 13 – Jan. 31, 2015
Youth Gun Hunt October 11 & 12 Statewide Deer Hunt for Hunters with Certain Disabilities (not a statewide season) – October 4 – 12
Enrolled Properties Only 9-day Gun Deer – November 22 – 30 Statewide
Gun Deer – All Metro Zones – Nov. 22 – Dec. 10
Muzzleloader – Dec. 1 – 10 Statewide
December Antlerless-only Hunt – Dec. 11 – 14
Central Farmland and Central Forest Zones units only Holiday Hunt (Not in State Parks) – Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, 2015 Antlerless Only, Southern Farmland Zone units only
2014 Standard Gun Deer Season Structure
9-day Gun Deer Season: Statewide (no change).
4-day December Antlerless-only Deer Season: Central Farmland and Central Forest Zone units only.
9-day Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt: Southern Farmland Zone units only (excluding State Parks). The Holiday Hunt has been shortened by 3 days and only antlerless deer may be harvested.
2014 Bonus Buck Opportunities
– Bonus buck opportunities will be offered in the Southern Farmland Zone units only.
– Only one bonus buck may be taken per hunter.
– No more than 3 bucks in total may be tagged by any one hunter per year.
– Only one bonus buck sticker acquired during the 2013 deer seasons may be used during the 2014 deer seasons.
2014 Licenses and Antlerless Tags
– A free statewide antlerless permit will no longer be issued with archery hunting licenses.
– Each deer hunting license (archery, gun, crossbow) will be valid for one buck statewide. Hunters who purchase both archery and crossbow licenses will be issued one buck tag for the two licenses.
– Central and Southern Farmland Zones: One free antlerless tag will be issued with each deer hunting license (not weapon specific) for use in any Farmland Zone unit only. Additional bonus antlerless tags may be purchased if available.
– Northern and Central Forest Zones: No free antlerless tags issued. Additional bonus antlerless tags may be purchased if available.
– Additional Bonus Antlerless Tags: Where available, all bonus antlerless tags will be unit and land type (public or private) specific. The number of public and private lands tags available will be based on harvest objectives within each unit. Bonus antlerless tags may be purchased for $12/tag (residents) or $20/tag (non-residents) and will be sold first-come, first-serve until all are sold. Sales begin August 16, 2014.
Deer Management Unit (DMU) Changes
– The former boundaries of most DMUs have been eliminated. County boundaries will designate most units in 2014 and beyond. Know where county boundaries are located before you start hunting.
– All Metro sub-units have been maintained.
– State Park units have been eliminated.
– See the 2014 Deer Hunting Regulations for details.
Automated Deer Registration In 2014:
– No changes will be made. All deer hunters will still be required to register harvested deer in-person at a registration station.
– Other registration methods will also be tested and hunters will be randomly selected to participate using various automated registration methods.
Starting In 2015:
– All hunters will chose from a variety of methods to register deer that may include telephone, internet and in-person registration.
– Automated registration allows for instantaneous data collection, is convenient for hunters and can result in significant cost savings for hunters and the state.
– Some deer registration stations are expected to be maintained throughout the state to collect age and sex data, and CWD samples.
White/Albino Deer Protection
-The protection of white/albino deer has been restored statewide, including CWD affected counties.
Baiting and Feeding
– Baiting and feeding is not allowed in counties where CWD has been discovered or counties within 10 miles of where a CWD-positive deer was found (see map below).
– Deer harvested in a CWD-affected county must be registered before they can be moved outside the CWD-affected area.
– For additional information on the transport of deer carcasses see the 2014 Deer Hunting Regulations. To read the full baiting and feeding regulations, please visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword ‘Baiting and Feeding Regulations’
For additional information, to read the full DTR report or to contact us, please visit http://dnr.wi.gov and search keyword, ‘Deer Trustee Report’
Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 – 1-888-936-7463
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